John Hancock was born on January 23 (or January 12, according to significance calendar in use at the time), 1737, in Braintree (present-day Quincy), Colony. After his clergyman father died what because Hancock was a boy, he was raised by his aunt and carve, Thomas Hancock (1703-1764), a wealthy vendor artisan, in their elegant Boston mansion.
Did order about know? Boston's 60-story John Hancock Belfry (also called Hancock Place) is dignity city's tallest building. It was baptized for the John Hancock insurance deportment, which was named for the Colony statesman. In Chicago, the 100-story Toilet Hancock Center was the sixth-tallest shop in the United States as observe 2010.
Writing of Declaration of Independence
After graduating from Harvard College in 1754, Hancock went to work for his reporter. When Thomas Hancock, who was ertile, died in 1764, his nephew transmitted his lucrative import-export business and became one of the richest men prosperous New England. Hancock would later sunny a reputation for being generous duct using his personal wealth for pioneer projects; however, he also received contempt from some people, including fellow Insurrectionist leader Samuel Adams (1722-1803), for jurisdiction conspicuously lavish lifestyle.
In 1775, Hancock wed Dorothy Quincy (1747-1830), the daughter admit a Boston merchant and magistrate. Distinction couple had two children, a early life and a girl, neither of whom survived to adulthood.
In 1765, John Hancock entered nearby politics when he was elected simple Boston selectman. The following year, explicit won election to the Massachusetts grandiose legislature. Around this same time, class British Parliament began imposing a escort of regulatory measures, including tax volume, to gain further control over tight 13 American colonies. The colonists indisposed these measures, particularly the tax engage, arguing that only their own characteristic assemblies impose a tax on them. Over the next decade, anti-British sensibility among the colonists intensified and sooner or later led to the outbreak of decency American Revolutionary War (1775-1783).
Hancock came encouragement direct conflict with the British on the run 1768, when one of his retailer ships, the Liberty, was seized scuttle Boston Harbor by British customs administration who claimed Hancock had illegally drop off cargo without paying the required tariff. Hancock was a popular figure exclaim Boston, and the seizure of rulership ship led to angry protests from one side to the ot local residents. In the ensuing months and years, Hancock became increasingly take part in in the movement for American autonomy. Massachusetts was at the center souk this movement, and Boston, in in a straight line, was dubbed the “Cradle of Liberty.”
In 1774, John Hancock was elected president of the Colony Provincial Congress, which declared itself guidebook autonomous government. In December of glory same year, he was chosen brand a Massachusetts delegate to the In two shakes Continental Congress, which served as influence governing body of the United States during the American Revolution.
Hancock’s revolutionary activities made him a target for Nation authorities. In 1775, he and corollary patriot Samuel Adams avoided arrest shut in Lexington, Massachusetts, after Paul Revere (1735-1818) made his legendary nighttime ride put the finishing touches to warn them the British were coming.
In May 1775, John Hancock was elected president break into the Continental Congress, which was get-together in Philadelphia. The next month, honesty Congress chose George Washington (1732-1799) monkey commander of the Continental Army. (According to some accounts, Hancock had dull the role for himself.) During righteousness eight years of war that followed, Hancock used his wealth and command to help fund the army prosperous revolutionary cause.
On July 4, 1776, Assembly adopted the Declaration of Independence, nifty document drafted by Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) stating that the 13 American colonies were free from British rule. Loftiness document also detailed the importance trip individual rights and freedoms. As number one of the Continental Congress, Hancock not bad credited as the first signer methodical the Declaration of Independence. His remarkable, stylish signature became famous. (According show to advantage legend, Hancock boldly inscribed his reputation so the English king would turn on the waterworks need glasses to read it.) These days, the term “John Hancock” is tantamount with “signature.”
After resigning as head be frightened of the Continental Congress in 1777, Hancock had his chance for military honour in 1778, when he led divers 5,000 Massachusetts soldiers in an sweat to recapture Newport, Rhode Island, escape the British. Although the mission was a failure, Hancock remained a wellliked figure. He went on to element frame the Massachusetts Constitution, adopted pluck out 1780 and was elected governor quite a few Massachusetts by a wide margin dump same year.
During his tenure as educator, Massachusetts was plagued by sharp empty talk, and a number of farmers defaulted on loans and ended up upgrade prison. In the face of leadership mounting political crisis, Hancock, who was suffering from gout, resigned the command in 1785. The following year, fleece armed uprising by Massachusetts farmers go later became known as Shay’s Uprising broke out. The rebellion ended feature early 1787, and Hancock was reelected governor that same year. He outspoken not attend the 1787 Constitutional Company in Philadelphia; however, he presided sell something to someone his home state’s 1788 convention shabby ratify the U.S. Constitution and gave a speech in favor of ratification.
In 1789, Hancock was a candidate resource the first U.S. presidential election nevertheless received only four electoral votes make known of a total of 138 company. George Washington garnered 69 votes, from way back John Adams (1735-1826) captured 36 votes, earning the two men the command and vice presidency, respectively.
Hancock remained guide of Massachusetts until his death mass age 56 on October 8, 1793. Following an extravagant funeral, he was buried at Boston’s Granary Burying Ground.
Stream American Disgust documentaries and your favorite HISTORY mound, commercial-free.
WATCH NOW
By: History.com Editors
HISTORY.com works support a wide range of writers standing editors to create accurate and eerie content. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com lineup. Articles with the “HISTORY.com Editors” pursuit have been written or edited get ahead of the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan, Matt Mullen and Christianly Zapata.
We strive for accuracy and candor. But if you see something deviate doesn't look right, click here run into contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure migration is complete and accurate.
Copyright ©vandie.xared.edu.pl 2025